LN2 fill gauge level indicating device

ABSTRACT

Method, system, apparatus, and/or device for determining when the dewar is filled with a medium. The fill gauge level apparatus includes a cylindrical body. The cylindrical body has a base on one end, a flange on an opposite open end and a cavity. The fill gauge level apparatus includes a fill gauge level device. The fill gauge level device is coupled to the cylindrical body and is positioned within the cavity. The fill gauge level devices includes a sensor for measuring a medium within a shipper. The fill gauge level devices includes an indicator. The indicator provides an indication when the medium has been filled to a threshold level within the shipper.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

This specification relates to a system, device or apparatus for anindicator to gauge the liquid nitrogen (LN2) level within a dry vaporshipper.

2. Description of the Related Art

In the shipping business, certain types of contents and cargo requireextra special care. This need is apparent when shipping biologicalsamples and specimens. Businesses, hospitals, labs and other research orconsumer facilities need to ship biological material that is highlysusceptible to cellular degradation, and so, they require cryogenicshipping services to ship the biological material at cryogenictemperatures at approximately −150 degrees Celsius. The shipping ofthese temperature controlled materials requires special equipment, suchas a dry vapor shipper or dewar that is validated to maintain thecryogenic temperature for an extended period of time, to prevent oravoid cell degradation or loss. For example, a dry vapor shipper is ametallic flask that has a payload area or well that holds the biologicalmaterial within at cryogenic temperatures for a long period of time toallow the transport of the biological material.

These dewars are very sensitive to environmental conditions, such asshock, vibration, age and thermal shock, all of which may cause damageto the construction of the dewar. Thus, it is necessary to mitigatethese environmental conditions to reduce the possibility of prematurefailure of the vacuum inside the dewar.

For example, thermal shock may occur if the dewar is filled with liquidnitrogen (LN2) too rapidly because there are various materials of thedewar that are sensitive to the thermal shock. These materials all havedifferent coefficients of thermal expansion and if the variation ofthese coefficients is too great cracking, separation or residual stressbetween the joints of these dissimilar materials may result. As aresult, the dewar could lose its vacuum because of a breach in thesematerials or joints.

Since these various materials are extremely temperature and/orenvironmentally sensitive and to prevent such a breach, the dewar may befilled slowly to allow time for the materials to acclimate to thedramatic temperature shift from ambient to cryogenic temperatures.Preventing the LN2 level from contacting some of the joints between thedissimilar materials also helps to prevent breaches as well.

Accordingly, there is a need for a method, system, device or apparatusto slowly fill the dewar with LN2 and check the level of the LN2 toprevent contact of the LN2 with joints.

SUMMARY

In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in thisspecification is embodied in a fill gauge level apparatus. The fillgauge level apparatus includes a cylindrical body. The cylindrical bodyhas a base on one end, a flange on an opposite open end and a cavity.The fill gauge level apparatus includes a fill gauge level device. Thefill gauge level device is coupled to the cylindrical body and ispositioned within the cavity. The fill gauge level device includes asensor for measuring a medium within the shipper and an indicator. Theindicator provides an indication when the shipper has been filled with amedium to a threshold level within the shipper.

These and other embodiments may optionally include one or more of thefollowing features. The base of the cylindrical body may be a perforatedbase. The perforated base may be configured to allow a user to seethrough the perforated base and visually gauge when the medium has beenfilled to the threshold level even when the fill gauge level has failed.The flange may be a flanged ring that surrounds an outer periphery ofthe opposite open end of the cylindrical body. The bottom surface of theflanged ring may be lined with a material to protect the shipper and theflanged ring when the flanged ring is inserted and interfaces with theshipper.

The sensor may be configured to detect when the medium has been filledto the threshold level. The fill gauge level device may include aprocessor. The processor may be coupled to the sensor and the indicator.The processor may be configured to determine that the medium has beenfilled to threshold level. The processor may be configured to activatethe indicator to indicate to the user that the shipper has been filledwith the medium. The sensor may be configured to detect when the mediumcontacts the sensor. The indicator may be a visual indicator thatsignals that the medium is at the threshold level.

The fill gauge level device may include an elongated member. Theelongated member may be inserted within a cavity of the cylindrical bodyand have a distal end that extends through an opening within the base ofthe cylindrical body. The fill gauge level device may include a sensorpositioned at the distal end that may be configured to detect when themedium is at or above a threshold level. The fill gauge level device mayinclude a sensor cover positioned around a length of the elongatedmember. The sensor cover may be configured to limit contact of themedium to the distal end and prevent the medium from contacting the restof the length of the elongated member when the fill gauge level deviceis inserted within the shipper.

The fill gauge level apparatus may include one or more height adjustingbands. The one or more height adjusting bands may be coupled to thecylindrical body or the fill gauge level device. The one or more heightadjusting bands may be configured to adjust a position of thecylindrical body or the fill gauge level device on or about a sidewallof the shipper.

In another aspect, the subject matter is embodied in a fill gauge leveldevice. The fill gauge level device includes an elongated member. Theelongated member has a distal end portion and is configured to extendthrough an opening within a cylindrical body positioned over a payloadarea of a shipper. The fill gauge level device includes a sensorpositioned at the distal end portion of the elongated member. The sensoris configured to detect when a medium is at or above a threshold levelwithin the payload area of the shipper. The fill gauge level deviceincludes an indicator. The indicator is configured to indicate to a userwhen the medium is at the threshold level. The fill gauge level deviceincludes a processor. The processor is coupled to the sensor and theindicator and configured to determine, using the sensor, that the mediumis at the threshold level. The processor is configured to provide, usingthe indicator, an indication to the user that indicates that the mediumis at the threshold level.

In another aspect, the subject matter is embodied in a fill gauge levelsystem. The fill gauge level system includes a liquid nitrogen sourcethat is configured to supply liquid nitrogen. The fill gauge levelsystem includes a dewar having a payload area. The dewar is configuredto receive the liquid nitrogen within the payload area. The fill gaugelevel system includes a fill gauge level apparatus. The fill gauge levelapparatus is configured to be inserted within the dewar. The fill gaugelevel apparatus includes a cylindrical body. The cylindrical body has abase that is configured to be placed within the dewar on one end and aflange configured to limit a depth that the base is placed within thedewar on an opposite open end. The fill gauge level apparatus includes afill gauge level device. The fill gauge level device is coupled to thecylindrical body and includes an indicator. The indicator is configuredto provide an indication when the shipper has been filled with a mediumto a threshold level.

In another aspect, the subject matter is embodied in a method. Themethod includes detecting or determining a level of a medium that isflowing into a dewar. The method includes determining that the level ofthe medium is or will be greater than or equal to a threshold level. Themethod includes providing an indication to a user that the level of themedium will or has reached the threshold level.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will be apparent to one skilled in the art upon examination ofthe following figures and detailed description. Component parts shown inthe drawings are not necessarily to scale and may be exaggerated tobetter illustrate the important features of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows an example shows a liquid nitrogen (LN2) fill gauge levelindicating system according to an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows an example LN2 fill gauge level indicating apparatus of theLN2 fill gauge level indicating system of FIG. 1 according to an aspectof the invention.

FIG. 3 shows a top-perspective view of the LN2 fill gauge levelindicating apparatus of FIG. 2 according to an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 4 show an example schematic diagram of a cross-sectional view ofthe LN2 fill gauge level indicating apparatus of the LN2 fill gaugelevel indicating system of FIG. 1 according to an aspect of theinvention.

FIG. 5 shows an example block diagram of the processing circuitry of theLN2 fill gauge level indicating apparatus of the LN2 fill gauge levelindicating system of FIG. 1 according to an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of an example process for controlling the levelof the medium within the dewar of the LN2 fill gauge level indicatingsystem of FIG. 1 according to an aspect of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed herein are systems, apparatuses and devices for filling liquidnitrogen (LN2) within a dewar or other dry vapor shipper. The LN2 fillgauge level indicating apparatus may provide one or more indicators toindicate when the level of the LN2 has reached a predetermined thresholdlevel or other threshold level (hereinafter, referred to as “thresholdlevel”) within the dewar. Particular embodiments of the subject matterdescribed in this specification may be implemented to realize one ormore of the following advantages. When filling the dewar with LN2, theLN2 may form a gaseous or vaporous composition that obstructs the visualview of the operator. This may be due to the poor visibility thatresults from the LN2's natural tendency to evaporate when it is exposedto a temperature that is higher than its boiling point of −195.79° C.(77 K; −320° F.). With the obstructed view, the operator or other useris unable to determine when the LN2 has filled the payload area of thedewar to a threshold level. An LN2 fill gauge level indicatingapparatus, however, may be integrated with or coupled to a neck of thedewar. The LN2 fill gauge level indicating apparatus may be inserted orplaced within the neck and the payload area of the dewar. When insertedor placed within the payload area of the dewar, the LN2 fill gauge levelindicating apparatus may measure, detect or otherwise determine when theLN2 has filled the payload area up to the threshold level. The LN2 gaugelevel indicating apparatus may determine when the LN2 has filled thepayload area up to the threshold level automatically using one or moresensors and/or provide a manual indication of when the LN2 has filledthe payload area up to the threshold level. In some implementations, thethreshold level is user configured or predetermined. This allows theoperator to accurately determine when the LN2 has been filled to thethreshold level and when to shutoff the LN2 source to prevent the LN2level from contacting some of the joints between dissimilar materialsthat may cause a breach.

Other benefits and advantages of the LN2 fill gauge level indicatingapparatus include the capability of the LN2 fill gauge level indicatingapparatus acting as a physical barrier between the dispensing nozzle ofthe LN2 source and the dewar when the LN2 fill gauge level indicatingapparatus is placed within the dewar. As a physical barrier, the LN2fill gauge level indicating apparatus prevents cross contamination ofany biological contamination from the surface of the nozzle of the LN2source.

Moreover, the LN2 fill gauge level indicating apparatus mayautomatically turn or shut off the LN2 source when the LN2 has beenfilled to the threshold level. Additionally, the LN2 fill gauge levelindicating apparatus may predict when the LN2 will be filled to thethreshold level, such that when the LN2 source is closed the remainingLN2 exiting the LN2 source will accurately fill the dewar up to but nomore than threshold level. This allows for a more precise and accuratefilling of the LN2 within the dewar.

Additionally, the LN2 fill gauge level indicating apparatus may have oneor more height adjusting bands. These height adjusting bands allow thedepth of the LN2 fill gauge level indicating apparatus within the dewarto be configured or adjusted to adjust the threshold level of LN2 neededwithin the dewar. Moreover, the size and shape of the LN2 fill gaugelevel indicating apparatus may be configurable to allow for the LN2 fillgauge level indicating apparatus to be fitted within differences sizesand shapes of necks of dewars.

FIG. 1 shows a liquid nitrogen (LN2) fill gauge level indicating system(or “fill gauge level system”) 100. The fill gauge level system 100includes an LN2 fill gauge level indicating apparatus (or “fill gaugelevel apparatus”) 102, which includes a LN2 fill gauge level indicatingdevice (or “fill gauge level device”) 104, a dry vapor shipper, such asa dewar 110 and/or a fill device 106, such as a LN2 fill device orsource, that outputs and provides a medium 108, such as LN2, to beplaced or poured into and within the payload area 112 of the dewar 110.

The fill gauge level system 100 includes a dewar 110 or other dry vaporshipper. The dewar 110 may be a double-walled flask that has an innerwall and an outer wall. The dewar 110 may create a vacuum in between theinner and outer wall, which allows the space in between to be completelyevacuated to insulate the materials stored. The dewar 110 may have anopening with a neck 114, which leads to a payload area 112 formed fromthe inner wall and that may store, hold or otherwise contain frozenbiological materials, liquid and/or gases within and store the materialat cryogenic temperatures.

The fill gauge level system 100 includes a fill device 106 or othermedium source. The fill device 106 may be a LN2 fill device, which is asource that provides the medium 108, such as LN2, to pour into thepayload area 112 of the dewar 110. The fill device 106 may have a nozzleor spigot that dispenses the medium 108. The medium 108 may be LN2,which is used to cool the contents within the payload area 112, andwhich may be filled to a threshold level. The threshold level may be alevel that is slightly below or at the bottom of the neck 114 of thedewar 110 to prevent thermal shock to the perimeter of the inner wall ofthe neck 114 of the dewar 110. The fill device 106 may be opened,closed, partially opened or otherwise positioned to control an amount offlow of the medium 108 out of the fill device 106 and into the dewar110. The fill device 106 may be controlled manually, such as by a user,and/or remotely, such as by the fill gauge level device 104. Forexample, in some implementations, the fill device 106 is operablycoupled to the fill gauge level device 104 so that the fill gauge leveldevice 104 may operate and/or communicate with the fill device 106 andautomatically turned on or off.

The fill gauge level system 100 has a fill gauge level apparatus 102.The fill gauge level apparatus 102 is positioned within the neck 114 ofthe dewar 110 such that a portion of the fill gauge level apparatus 102is inserted and extends into the payload area 112 of the dewar 110. Thefill gauge level apparatus 102 when positioned or inserted within theneck 114 of the dewar 110 acts as a physical barrier between the nozzleof the fill device 106 and the dewar 110 to prevent cross contaminationof any biological contamination from the nozzle of the fill device 106.FIG. 2 shows the fill gauge level apparatus 102 decoupled from the dewar110.

The fill gauge level apparatus 102 has a fill gauge level device 104 andan insert or body (hereinafter, referred to as “body”) 202 that ispositioned within a dewar 110 or other dry vapor shipper. The body 202may be shaped as a cylinder, rectangular cube, or other polygonal shapeto correspond and be similarly shaped as the inner perimeter of theinner wall the neck 114 and inner wall of the payload area 112 of thedewar 110 to accommodate dewars of various sizes and/or shapes.

The body 202 may have a bottom portion 204 and a top portion 206. Thetop portion 206 may be a flanged ring or otherwise protruding portionaway from the body 202. The top portion 206 may define an opening thatleads to a cavity within the bottom portion 204 of the body 202. Theflanged ring or otherwise protruding portion extends outward from thebody 202 and may have an outer perimeter or circumference with adiameter greater than the opening of the neck 114 of the dewar 110 sothat the top portion 206 interfaces with and rests on top of the neck114 of the dewar 110 when the body 202 is inserted within the dewar 110,as shown in FIG. 1 for example. A bottom surface of the flanged ring maybe lined with a material to protect the dewar 110 and the flanged ringwhen the flanged ring is inserted and rests on the dewar 110.

The bottom portion 204 may be sized and shaped to be inserted into anopening within the neck 114 of the dewar 110 and may be slidablypositioned within a top portion 206 of the payload area 112 of the dewar110. The bottom portion 204 has a base 208 that may be positioned orinserted into the opening within the neck 114 of the dewar 110 andslidably positioned to rest within the payload area 112 of the dewar110. The base 208 may be on an opposite end of the body 202 than theflanged ring.

The base 208 may be a perforated base and have an opening 302 within, asshown in FIG. 3 for example. The perforated base may be formed from awire mesh 304 that has multiple openings that allow a user to visuallysee the contents within the dewar 110 when the fill gauge levelapparatus 102 is placed or inserted within the dewar 110. Once the useridentifies that the medium 108 has contacted the perforated base, thismay indicate to the user to stop filling the medium 108 into the dewar110 and to shut-off the fill device 106 even when the one or moresensors of the fill gauge level device 104 are not operational.Moreover, the perforated base allows the medium 108 poured or flowingfrom the fill device 106 to enter and fill the payload area 112 of thedewar 110. In some implementations, the base 208 may be transparent orsemi-transparent allowing the user to see through the base 208.

The opening 302 allows the fill gauge level device 104 to be insertedinto the payload area 112 of the dewar 110, such that a bottom portionof the fill gauge level device 104 extends or protrudes through theopening 302 into the payload area of the dewar. This exposes a sensor tothe contents within the payload area of the dewar 110.

The base 208 may be positioned to align with the sensor of the fillgauge level device 104 and/or the desired threshold level of the medium108 of which the user desires to fill the dewar 110. The perforated baseallows for the medium 108 to flow and/or be poured in through the cavityand out the base 208 of the body 202 into the payload area 112 of thedewar 110 when the body 202 is inserted into the dewar 110.Additionally, the perforated base allows an operator of the fill gaugelevel indicating apparatus or other user to see-through the base 208 tovisually identify the level or amount of medium 108 that has been pouredinto the payload area 112 of the dewar 110. Since the base 208 isaligned with the desired threshold level of medium 108 of which the userdesires, when the level or amount of medium 108 within the payload area112 of the dewar 110 meets or exceeds the surface of the perforatedbase, this may indicate that the medium has filled past the base 208,has contacted a sensor of an LN2 fill gauge level device 104 and/or hasfilled to the desired threshold level. Thus, the perforated base allowsfor a manual visual indication of the level or amount of the medium 108within the payload area 112 of the dewar 110 even when there is no powersupplied to the fill gauge level device 104 and/or the fill gauge leveldevice 104 is not operating properly. This advantageously provides abackup or a fail safe alternative to identify when the dewar 110 hasbeen filled.

The fill gauge level system 100 may include one or more height adjustingbands 116 or other height adjusting mechanism. The one or more heightadjusting bands 116 may be coupled to, included within or interface withthe fill gauge level apparatus 102. The one or more height adjustingbands 116 may provide an interface between the body 202 of the fillgauge level apparatus 102 and an inner surface of the dewar 110, such asalong a length of the neck 114 or a sidewall of the dewar 110, to adjustthe height, depth or position of the fill gauge level apparatus 102relative to the payload area 112 of the dewar 110. An actuator or othermotor may move the one or more height adjusting bands 116 to move orposition the fill gauge level apparatus 102 upwards or downwards toadjust a height of the fill gauge level apparatus 102 within the payloadarea 112 of the dewar 110. The one or more height adjusting bands 116may be controlled manually and/or automatically by a controller, such asa processor within the fill gauge level device 104, to adjust the heightor position of the fill gauge level apparatus 102 relative to the dewar110, such as via user input or based on sensor readings of the height ordepth of the dewar 110.

In some implementations, the one or more height adjusting bands 116 maybe a clamp positioned or fastened along a track. The one or more heightadjusting bands 116 may be loosened or unfastened so that the user mayadjust the height of the one or more adjusting bands, and then,tightened or fastened to the track to secure the one or more heightadjusting bands so that the fill gauge level apparatus 102 is fixed at aheight.

The fill gauge level apparatus 102 includes a fill gauge level device104. The fill gauge level device 104 may be positioned on an innerperiphery or perimeter of the body 202 of the fill gauge level apparatus102. The fill gauge level device 104 may extend downward through thecavity of the body 202 and through the opening 302 within the base 208of the body 202 and into the payload area 112 of the dewar 110 when thefill gauge level apparatus 102 is inserted into the dewar 110.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the fill gauge level apparatus102 with the fill gauge level device 104 positioned within. The fillgauge level device 104 may be rigidly coupled to the fill gauge levelapparatus 102, such as along the sidewall of the body 202 or at the topportion 206. The fill gauge level device 104 includes a housing 412, aprocessing circuitry 402, one or more indicators 404, an elongatedmember 406 and/or one or more sensors 408. The fill gauge level device104 may have a sensor cover or splash guard (hereinafter, referred to as“sensor cover”) 410 and/or a switch 414.

The fill gauge level device 104 may have a housing 412. The housing 412may be a metal or other encasing that encloses or surrounds one or moreelectrical components of the fill gauge level device 104 including theprocessing circuitry 402, the circuitry of the one or more indicators404 and/or the switch 414, and/or wiring that electrically couples theprocessing circuitry 402 with the one or more sensors 408. The housing412 protects the electrical components from the environment includingthe medium 108 when the medium 108 is flowing from the fill device 106into the dewar 110. The housing 412 may be positioned on the top portion206, such as along a top surface of the flanged portion that protrudesoutward from the body 202 and defines the opening into the cavity of thebody 202 so that medium 108 pouring into the cavity of the body 202 doesnot spill onto the housing 412.

The fill gauge level device 104 has an elongated member 406 and/or aconnector 422. The housing 412 may be coupled to the elongated member406 via a member 416, such as a pipe, duct, vessel or other passageway,and/or the connector 422. The member 416 may enclose or surround wiringthat electrically couples the processing circuitry 402 and the one ormore sensors 408. The connector 422 may provide an interface between themember 416 and the elongated member 406. The connector 422 may receiveor fasten onto the elongated member 406. The elongated member 406 may bea hollow metal tube that surrounds or encloses the wiring to protect thewiring from the medium 108 and/or the environment when the wiringtraverses distally toward the one or more sensors 408 along the sidewallof the dewar 110 and within the dewar 110.

The elongated member 406 has a proximal end 418, a distal end 420 and alongitudinal length in between that extends downward into the cavity ofthe body 202 and through the opening 302 of the base 208 of the body202. The proximal end 418 may be positioned at the top of the cavity ofthe body 202 near the opening and may be fastened to the member 416 viathe connector 422. The wiring that electrically couples the processingcircuitry 402 and the one or more sensors 408 may enter through theproximal end 418 of the elongated member, travel down the longitudinallength of the elongated member 406 and couple to the one or more sensors408, which may be positioned at the distal end 420 of the elongatedmember 406. The distal end 420 of the elongated member 406 may bepositioned through the opening 302 and below the base 208 into thepayload area 112 of the dewar 110.

The fill gauge level device 104 has one or more sensors 408. The one ormore sensors 408 may be a voltage sensor that changes resistance whenthe voltage sensor contacts the medium 108. The one or more sensors maybe another type of sensor, such as a light detection and ranging (LIDAR)sensor, optical sensor, radar, infrared, radio wave or other sensor thatcan measure or determine a distance to a target or a presence or a lackof presence of the target. For example, a LIDAR sensor, optical sensorand/or radar may emit an electromagnet wave that is reflected when thewavelength contacts the target to identify the presence of the target.The LIDAR sensor, optical sensor and/or radar may then measure thereturn time of reflected wavelengths to determine the relative distanceto the target, such as the surface of the medium 108 within the dewar110.

The one or more sensors 408 may be positioned at the distal end 420 ofthe elongated member 406 so that the one or more sensors 408 may detectwhen the medium 108 reaches the threshold level. The one or more sensors408 are coupled to wiring that is within the elongated member 406 toprovide the signal that detects the medium 108 to the processingcircuitry 402 within the housing 412. In some implementations, the oneor more sensors 408 may include multiple sensors positioned along thelength of the elongated member 406. Each sensor 408 may be spaced apartand positioned at a different height along the length of the elongatedmember 406. And as the level of the medium 108 increases and contactseach sensor 408, the corresponding sensor 408 provides a signal to theprocessing circuitry 402 to indicate which of the multiple sensors 408have been activated, and thus, providing the height or the level of themedium 108 within the payload area 112 of the dewar 110.

The fill gauge level device 104 may include a sensor cover 410. Thesensor cover 410 may be positioned around the length of the elongatedmember 406. The sensor cover 410 may entirely or partiallycircumferentially surround the entire length or a portion of the lengthof the elongated member 406 while leaving a bottom opening for thedistal end 420 of the elongated member 406 with the one or more sensors408 exposed. The sensor cover 410 may have a threaded fitting on one ormore ends of the sensor cover 410 to allow for fastening of the sensorcover 410 to another component, such as a nut. The sensor cover 410limits contact of the medium 108 to the distal end 420 and prevents themedium 108 from contacting the sides of the remainder of the length ofthe elongated member 406 when the fill gauge level device 104 isinserted within the dewar 110. This allows the medium 108 to contact theone or more sensors 408 while simultaneously protecting the rest of thelength of the elongated member 406 from the splashing of the medium 108during delivery. The sensor 408 may or may not be positioned planar withthe bottom opening of the sensor cover 410. The bottom opening of thesensor cover 410 may or may not be altered to allow the medium 108 totravel within or between the walls of the sensor cover 410 and/or withina cavity formed by the sensor cover 410.

The fill gauge level device 104 may include processing circuitry 402.The processing circuitry 402 may be housed within the housing 412, whichprotects the processing circuitry 402 from the environment including anymedium 108 flowing from the fill device 106. The processing circuitry402 may include multiple components, such a processor 502, a memory 504,adjustable circuitry, a network access device 506, as shown in FIG. 5for example. The processing circuitry 402 may include circuitry for theindicator 404, the switch 414 and/or other types of user interfaces 508.

The processor 502 may be implemented as a single processor or asmultiple processors. The processor 502 may be a microprocessor, dataprocessor, microcontroller or other controller, and may be electricallycoupled to some or all the other components within the processingcircuitry 402. The processor 502 control the indicator 404, the switch414, the one or more sensor 408 and/or other components to determinewhen the medium 108 is at the threshold level. The processor 502 may becoupled to the memory 504.

The memory 504 may be coupled to the processor 502 and storeinstructions that the processor 502 executes. The memory 504 may includeone or more of a Random Access Memory (RAM), Read Only Memory (ROM), USBstorage device or other volatile or non-volatile memory. The memory 504may be a non-transitory memory or a data storage device, such as a harddisk drive, a solid-state disk drive, a hybrid disk drive, or otherappropriate data storage, and may further store machine-readableinstructions, which may be loaded and executed by the processor 502.

The network access device 506 may include a communication port orchannel, such as one or more of a Dedicated Short-Range Communication(DSRC) unit, a Wi-Fi unit, a Bluetooth® unit, a radio frequencyidentification (RFID) tag or reader, or a cellular network unit foraccessing a cellular network (such as 3G, 4G or 5G). The network accessdevice 506 may transmit data to and receive data from the fill gaugelevel device 104 and the fill device 106. For example, the fill gaugelevel device 104 may use the network access device 506 to communicatewith the fill device 106, such as to turn-on, turn-off or otherwisecontrol the flow of the medium 108 from the fill device 106.

The fill gauge level device 104 may include or be coupled to a userinterface 508. The user interface 508 may include an input/output devicethat receives user input from a user interface element, a button, adial, a microphone, a keyboard, a switch, such as the switch 414, or atouch screen. The user interface 508 may provide an output to an outputdevice, such as a display, a speaker, an indicator, such as theindicator 404, which may be an audio and/or visual indicator, or arefreshable braille display.

The user interface 508 may receive user input that adjusts the height ofthe fill gauge level device 104 and/or the fill gauge level apparatus102 along the sidewall of the dewar 110. The user input may cause theprocessing circuitry 402 to control the one or more height adjustingbands 116 to adjust the height, and consequently, the threshold level ofthe medium 108 that needs to be reached to activate or trigger the oneor more sensors 408.

The user interface 508 may provide notifications to the user or otheroperator, such as when the level of the medium 108 reaches or exceedsthe threshold level. The user interface 508 may display statisticscalculated from the level of the medium 108, such as the rate of flow ofthe medium 108 into the dewar 110, the amount of medium 108 within thedewar 110 and/or other statistics related to filling the dewar 110 withthe medium 108. The user interface 508 may also display alerts, such asthe need to shutoff the flow of the medium 108 from the fill device 106.

The fill gauge level device 104 may include an indicator 404. Theindicator 404 may be an audio indicator and/or a visual indicator, suchas a light. The indicator 404 may activate and indicate when the one ormore sensors 408 indicate that the level of the medium 108 has reachedthe threshold level, such as when the medium 108 contacts the one ormore sensors 408.

The fill gauge level device 104 may include a switch 414. The switch 414may be an on-off switch that when in an on position allows power toturn-on the processing circuitry 402 and when in an off positioncuts-off power to turn-off the processing circuitry 402. When theprocessing circuitry 402 is turned-on, the processing circuitry 402operates the one or more sensors 408 to detect the medium 108 and theindicator 404 to indicate when the one or more sensors 408 detect thatthe medium 108 is at the threshold level. When the processing circuitry402 is turned-off, the one or more sensors 408 are not active and areunable to detect the medium 108 and the indicator 404 is off.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a process 600 for detecting or determiningthe level of medium 108 within the dewar 110. One or more computers orone or more data processing apparatuses, for example, the processingcircuitry 402 of the fill gauge level device 104 of the fill gauge levelsystem 100 of FIG. 1 , appropriately programmed, may implement theprocess 600.

The fill gauge level system 100 has a fill gauge level device 104. Thefill gauge level device 104 may receive an on signal to activate thefill gauge level device 104 (602). The fill gauge level device 104 mayreceive the on signal from the switch 414, e.g., when the user togglesthe switch 414 from the off position to the on position, or via anotheruser interface element on the user interface 508, such as via userinput. When the fill gauge level device 104 receives the on signal, thefill gauge level device 104 may activate the various components of thefill gauge level device 104, such as the one or more sensors 408 and/orthe indicator 404 (604).

Once the components are activated, the fill gauge level device 104 maydetect or determine a level of the medium that is flowing in and/or hasflowed into the payload area 112 of the dewar 110 (606). The fill gaugelevel device 104 may use the one or more sensors 408 to determine ormeasure the level of the medium 108 within the payload area 112. Thefill gauge level device 104 may calculate the rate of change of thelevel of the medium 108 based on the measurements of the level of themedium 108 within the payload area 112 over time. The rate of change ofthe level of the medium 108 may correspond to an amount or a rate ofmedium 108 that is flowing into the payload area 112 from the filldevice 106. And thus, the fill gauge level device 104 may determine boththe amount and rate of medium 108 that is flowing in and the amount orlevel of the medium 108 within the payload area 112 of the dewar 110.

The fill gauge level device 104 may provide an indication and/orinformation regarding the level of the medium 108 to a user or operator(608). The fill gauge level device 104 may provide the indication and/orthe information to the user or the operator via the user interface 508,which may be included within or remotely coupled to the fill gauge leveldevice 104. The information may include an amount or rate that themedium 108 is flowing into the dewar 110 and/or the amount or rate thatthe medium 108 is being filled within the dewar 110.

The fill gauge level device 104 may determine, estimate or predictwhether the level of the medium 108 is or will be greater than or equalto the threshold level (610). The fill gauge level device 104 maydetermine that the level of the medium 108 is greater than or equal tothe threshold level using the one or more sensors 408 even when the viewof the user is obstructed from seeing into the dewar 110, such as by gasor vapor originating from the medium 108. The fill gauge level device104 may use other factors such as the amount or rate that the medium 108is being filled and/or is flowing into the dewar 110 to determine whenthe level of the medium 108 will reach or exceed the threshold level.For example, the fill gauge level device 104 uses the rate or amount ofmedium 108 that is flowing into the payload area 112 of the dewar 110and the amount of medium 108 that is already within the payload area 112of the dewar 110 to determine or predict the anticipated level of themedium 108 if the fill device 106 were to be shut-off And once, theanticipated level of the medium 108 reaches or exceeds the thresholdlevel, the fill gauge level device 104 determines that level of themedium 108 will or has reached the threshold level. In someimplementations, the user may view through the perforated base anddetermine that the level of the medium has or will reach the thresholdlevel.

For example, when the medium 108 contacts the one or more sensors 408this may indicate that the level of the medium is at the thresholdlevel. In another example, the fill gauge level device 104 sums thecurrent level or amount of medium 108 within the dewar 110 with theestimated amount of medium 108 that is flowing into the dewar 110 todetermine whether the level of medium 108 will be greater than or equalto the threshold level. This allows for the fill gauge level device 104to include the amount that is flowing into the dewar 110 with the amountthat is already in the dewar 110 to more accurately determine when thelevel of the medium 108 will reach the threshold level within the dewar110.

When the level of the medium 108 will not or has not reached thethreshold level, the fill gauge level device 104 may continue to detector determine the level of the medium 108 and allow the medium 108 tocontinue to flow into the dewar 110 (606). When the level of the medium108 will reach or has reached the threshold level, such as when thelevel of the medium 108 is or will be greater than the threshold leveland/or when the medium 108 contacts the one or more sensors 408, thefill gauge level device 104 may notify the user or other operator toturn-off or shut-off the flow of the medium 108 and indicate that thedewar 110 is full (612). The fill gauge level device 104 may activatethe indicator 404 to signal the user that the dewar 110 is full and/orprovide an indication via the network access device 506 to a user deviceand/or through the user interface 508. The indicator 404 may be a visualindicator, such as a flashing light, and/or an audio indicator, such asan audio beacon.

The fill gauge level device 104 may shut-off or close the flow of themedium 108 from the fill device 106 (614). The fill gauge level device104 may send a signal to the fill device 106 to shut-off the flow of themedium 108 to the dewar 110 to prevent additional medium 108 fromflowing into the payload area 112 of the dewar 110.

Exemplary embodiments of the methods/systems have been disclosed in anillustrative style. Accordingly, the terminology employed throughoutshould be read in a non-limiting manner. Although minor modifications tothe teachings herein will occur to those well versed in the art, itshall be understood that what is intended to be circumscribed within thescope of the patent warranted hereon are all such embodiments thatreasonably fall within the scope of the advancement to the art herebycontributed, and that that scope shall not be restricted, except inlight of the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fill gauge level apparatus, comprising: acylindrical body having a base on one end, a flange on an opposite openend and a cavity; a fill gauge level device coupled to the cylindricalbody and positioned within the cavity, the fill gauge level deviceincluding: a sensor for measuring a medium within a shipper, and anindicator that provides an indication when the medium has been filled toa threshold level within the shipper; and one or more height adjustingbands coupled to the cylindrical body or the fill gauge level device andconfigured to adjust a position of the cylindrical body or the fillgauge level device relative to a sidewall of the shipper.
 2. The fillgauge level apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base of the cylindricalbody is a perforated base, wherein the perforated base is configured toallow a user to see through the perforated base and visually gauge whenthe medium has been filled to the threshold level even when the fillgauge level device has failed.
 3. The fill gauge level apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the flange is a flanged ring that surrounds an outerperiphery of the opposite open end of the cylindrical body, wherein abottom surface of the flanged ring is lined with a material to protectthe shipper and the flanged ring when the flanged ring is inserted andinterfaces with the shipper.
 4. The fill gauge level apparatus of claim1, wherein the fill gauge level device includes: a processor coupled tothe sensor and the indicator and configured to: determine, using thesensor, that the medium has been filled to the threshold level, andactivate the indicator to indicate to a user that the shipper has beenfilled with the medium.
 5. The fill gauge level apparatus of claim 4,wherein the sensor is configured to detect when the shipper has beenfilled with the medium to the threshold level and contacts the sensor.6. The fill gauge level apparatus of claim 1, wherein the indicator is avisual indicator that signals that the medium is at the threshold level.7. The fill gauge level apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fill gaugelevel device includes: an elongated member inserted within the cavity ofthe cylindrical body and having a distal end that extends through anopening within the base of the cylindrical body, wherein the sensor ispositioned at the distal end of the elongated member and configured todetect when the medium is at or above the threshold level; and a sensorcover positioned around a length of the elongated member and configuredto limit contact of the medium to the distal end and prevent the mediumfrom contacting a remainder of the length of the elongated member whenthe fill gauge level device is inserted within the shipper.
 8. A fillgauge level device, comprising: an elongated member having a distal endportion and configured to extend through an opening within a cylindricalbody positioned over a payload area of a shipper; a sensor positioned atthe distal end portion of the elongated member and configured to detectwhen a medium is at or above a threshold level within the payload areaof the shipper; an indicator configured to indicate to a user when themedium is at the threshold level; and a processor coupled to the sensorand the indicator and configured to: determine, using the sensor, thatthe medium is at the threshold level; provide, using the indicator, anindication to the user that indicates that the medium is at thethreshold level; and adjust or move one or more height adjusting bandsin contact with a sidewall of the shipper to change or move the fillgauge level device relative to the sidewall of the shipper and adjustthe threshold level necessary to trigger the indicator.
 9. A fill gaugelevel device, comprising: an elongated member having a distal endportion and configured to extend through an opening within a cylindricalbody positioned over a payload area of a shipper; a sensor positioned atthe distal end portion of the elongated member and configured to detectwhen a medium is at or above a threshold level within the payload areaof the shipper; an indicator configured to indicate to a user when themedium is at the threshold level; and a processor coupled to the sensorand the indicator and configured to: determine, using the sensor, thatthe medium is at the threshold level, provide, using the indicator, anindication to the user that indicates that the medium is at thethreshold level; shut, close, or turn off a flow of the medium from amedium source when the medium is within a threshold amount of thethreshold level; and estimate an amount of medium that has flowed fromthe medium source but has not reached the payload area of the shipper,wherein the threshold amount is greater than 0 and is equivalent to theestimated amount.
 10. The fill gauge level device of claim 9, furthercomprising: a sensor cover positioned around a length of the elongatedmember and configured to limit contact of the medium to the distal endportion and prevent the medium from contacting a remainder of the lengthof the elongated member.
 11. The fill gauge level device of claim 9,wherein the indicator is a visual indicator that signals that the mediumis at the threshold level.
 12. The fill gauge level device of claim 9,wherein to detect when the medium is at the threshold level the sensoris configured to detect when the medium contacts the sensor.
 13. Thefill gauge level device of claim 9, further comprising: a housingconfigured to enclose or surround the processor; and a switch coupled tothe housing and configured to activate or deactivate the fill gaugelevel device.
 14. A fill gauge level system, comprising: a liquidnitrogen source that is configured to supply liquid nitrogen; a dewarhaving a payload area and configured to receive the liquid nitrogenwithin the payload area; a fill gauge level apparatus configured to beinserted within the dewar and including: a cylindrical body having abase configured to be placed within the dewar on one end and a flangeconfigured to limit a depth that the base is placed within the dewar onan opposite open end; and a fill gauge level device coupled to thecylindrical body and including: an indicator configured to provide anindication when a shipper has been filled with a medium to a thresholdlevel, wherein the fill gauge level apparatus includes one or moreheight adjusting bands coupled to the cylindrical body or the fill gaugelevel device and configured to move the cylindrical body or the fillgauge level device vertically along a sidewall of the dewar.
 15. Thefill gauge level system of claim 14, wherein the fill gauge level deviceincludes a processor and a sensor, wherein the processor is coupled tothe sensor and the indicator and configured to: determine, using thesensor, that the liquid nitrogen is at or above the threshold level, andprovide, using the indicator, an indication to a user that indicatesthat the liquid nitrogen is at or above the threshold level.
 16. Thefill gauge level system of claim 15, wherein the processor is configuredto: shut, close, or turn off a flow of the liquid nitrogen from theliquid nitrogen source when the liquid nitrogen is within at or abovethe threshold level.